A GENUINE ONE IS LOST, THE LUNATIC THROWS SHADE

To the wise, avoid travelling with people you don’t know. This story starts in Vancouver, BC. I chose to live in this city for most of my adult life because of its mild winters. I met this musician named Roache and went on a few dates. The second time we hung out, Roche mentioned his friend balled on a punk rock cruise out of Miami, and he had an extra pass. He said, ” I know it’s a long shot, but would you be interested in taking his place as he cannot come.” My intuition was screaming at me just to decline the offer. But my overwhelming want to travel trumped this. The ticket was $1000 for a three-day cruise, everything included. I told him I couldn’t cover everything all at once. So he offered to let me pay him back the ticket cost later, and I could get my flight for now. I agreed; it sounded like a potentially great trip. The Flogging Molly Salty Dog Cruise is one of the most sought-after crusades among the punk rock community. It was a once-in-a-lifetime offer that I couldn’t pass up.

The cheapest flight I found would arrive in Miami 5 hours after his. We arranged to meet at a metal /punk bar called Churchill’s. Unfortunately, this pub has permanently closed its doors due to complications during the pandemic. If you want to know more about what happened, you can find court transcripts and more on the history of this iconic bar on their website. Churchill’s was one of my all-time favourite spots! They had rockabilly, punk, death metal, and boudoir shows. You could drink beer outside while you smoked; the vibe was on point: cheap drinks and pool tables with a grungy, laid-back environment. When I got to the pub, a grindcore band was playing. Although I have occasionally enjoyed the odd grindcore and death metal show, I wasn’t nearly drunk enough, having just arrived. Upon entry,  I said hi to Roache, grabbed a drink from the bar, and went back outside. I was having a great time; I recall only five women out of around fifty people. So, as it were, I was talking to a group of guys. This lunatic comes out, walks up to me, and yells, “DID YOU COME TO HANG WITH THESE GUYS OR ME!?” I told him I was outside because it was loud. He scoffed and asked me for a smoke. I said, “I’m out; stores right there, though.”  We walked over, and I got a new pack. Roache is a full-time smoker but doesn’t buy any. So I lit one and asked if he would like one. I want to say I wasn’t poking the bear at this point, but I was. He responds in a fury and says, “YES! ARE YOU GONNA MAKE ME BEG FOR IT?” I learned when I was young that making a scene rarely gets you what you desire. This demonstration is an excellent example of this. Although he did receive the cigarette he was looking for, he had lost his date and the person who would potentially pay for an unused ticket.

By this point,  I am naturally concerned about this man’s mental state. It is now nearing the end of the night, and the bar is closing soon. I decided this was the best time to ditch the cruise entirely. Boats are excellent, but you can’t get off of them. I didn’t want to deal with potentially being roomless on a ship. I figured this was the best time to cut my losses and ditch them. I hid in the women’s bathroom for about 35 minutes. Once one of the staff came into the restroom, I left. Now, I was standing in Little Haidi alone at night. I noticed a man in the shadows to my immediate right was smoking what appeared to be crack. The neighbourhood was quickly turning into a sketchy scene. A few cars were leaving still, and one stopped and rolled down the window. My friend Piero said, “Hey, I saw what happened with that guy. Is that who you’re here with?” I told him it was the third date and barely knew him.” Piero offered me a place to stay until I figured out what I was doing. He said he lets musicians crash at his place all the time, and it was only a block away. I went with my gut and accepted his invitation. Piero and I instantly became friends, and he introduced me to a great group of people.

A small after-party was on the go when we got to Piero’s place. Everyone was super cool: artists, musicians, salt of the earth. Roache wouldn’t stop calling and texting me, trying to defuse the situation. He told me all the “right” things you’re supposed to say. But there was no way I was signing up for that trainwreck. I decided Roache needed to learn a lesson the hard way, so I stayed on Piero’s couch for the week I was there. He was the best tour guide. I was his sidekick for the week, taking me wherever he went. He worked at a brewery called MIA. If you have yet to go to this place, could you put it on the list? They have 54 draft lines, and the food is delicious. I spent a lot of time with the crew there. Most of their beer is made right behind the bar in their brewery, and the staff is top-notch. If you are in Miami, check these guys out. You won’t be disappointed! You can even bring home some of their famous brews, as they also have off-sale available.

Going on week-long vacations has never been my thing. You don’t get a feeling for a place unless you stay at least three months. So, I decided to return to Miami to get a chance to spend time with my new friends. I worked my ass off and pulled together enough money to head back to Miami. I returned and stayed with Piero until I found a room. In Miami, stray cats are a massive problem. It was unfortunate to see them dead on the road all the time, one of the most depressing things about the city. There are so many cats the town considers them to be vermin now as the problem has grown significantly. I fed a clowder of cats daily in Piero’s backyard. I tried to do as much as possible for the strays when I was there. But there are just so many; more is needed. I would love to have the chance to open shelters there. Unfortunately, all the rescue centers seem to be at capacity and not accepting new cats. Being a cat lover, this was one of the most shattering realities of the city. I have a massive place in my heart for stray animals, which is an issue in many places. Mexico, Greece and Miami are the worst I’ve seen to date.

Piero was one of the good ones; he was hilarious and showed everyone compassion with the utmost grace. I got to hang out with him and his son on several occasions. Piero was a phenomenal father; his son meant the world to him. He was very close with his family and friends and made lasting, meaningful impressions on those who came to know him. Unfortunately, about three weeks into the trip, Piero died in a car accident. Piero’s death devastated his family and friends, leaving the community with heavy hearts. Everyone loved this man so much; he was one of those people who could light up a room. I felt sick to my stomach upon hearing the news. I can not explain the amount of grief and sadness I endured in the months to come. I slipped into a minor depressive state and mostly stayed home and played video games if I wasn’t drinking and parting. Piero and I became pretty close quickly when I got to know him. Although we were never lovers, I felt immense love for this human.

Almost everyone I know has had to deal with tremendous loss. So many of us are coping with the grief of losing multiple friends. The number of people who have passed in the last four years is harrowing. My heart goes out to you if you are dealing with this. We all manage it differently, but maintaining self-love is essential. I’m no stranger to putting myself on the back burner when I am depressed. I know at times, continuing without your loved one can seem hopeless. But keep going. You are loved and meant to be here. Life can be challenging, and managing the added trauma can be difficult. Don’t get me wrong, Piero loved life; this unfortunate accident was not intentional. I am merely touching on mental health because it is a substantial underlying cause of many accidental and deliberate deaths. If you suffer from depression, do not be afraid to reach out to loved ones or seek therapy. There are many programs and resources available to you out there.

More than 300 people showed up to Piero’s celebration of life. All of us banded together and leaned on each other for support. It was an extremely emotional time. I could barely say hi to his son without bursting into tears. He was one of those who impacted so many people’s lives. It was indeed a heartbreaking affair to witness. I moved in with our mutual friend Robbert so Piero’s family and close friends could handle his stuff. I remember feeling sad and then very angry. We all did a lot of parting to numb ourselves from the pain. I ate Michelina’s pasta and drowned myself in Diablo; I slept a lot. Robbert and I bonded over losing our friend; we played chess often. The last few months were quite sad; I didn’t feel like doing much of anything. Time stood still as I slipped into a bubble, and the world disappeared. Following the loss of Piero, it felt like the world got a bit darker. I can’t even comprehend what his son Rebel must have gone through. However, Piero’s death ensured a stable future for his son. Nothing and no one can ever replace the father he will grow up without.

I briefly lived with my other friend in Fort Lauderdale before I left. I enjoyed living away from Miami; the vibe is quite different. It’s more laid back and relaxed; many prefer it over the city. If you’re not a Miami Beach person, Lauderdale will be more your speed. Although after dealing with depression and feeling like I had spent enough time to know the city well enough. I returned to Canada. I did end up returning to Miami. Robbert is still working at MIA and is doing well. But to be honest, the city itself is not my favourite. However, you will want to check out the art district if you go. Artists from around the world come here to paint every year. You will be hard-pressed to see more phenomenal graffiti art in one place. Take advantage of the walls of Winwood when you visit Miami. I want to dedicate this article to all our loved ones now resting in power and keeping your memory with us as we use your light to illuminate our paths. You are forever with us and in our hearts until we meet again.